Helix Star Joey Mills Sets Out on Book Tour for 'Electric Soul'

Today, fans of Joey Mills can find out more about the Helix Studios star in a new book inspired by his life experiences. Titled Electric Soul, it is the third novel in the Rise Up series from 13 Red Media, written by Taylor Saracen.

Electric Soul is a coming-of-age novel that depicts Mills’ life before he became a prominent gay adult star. Readers meet a teenage Mills—reckless, brazen and unapologetically outspoken—who is still hiding a key part of his true self from the world. The book illuminates the struggles Mills faced as a troubled teen, his relationship with his mother and his path to self-discovery.

13 Red Media Ltd. founded by Keith Miller of Helix Studios, is a media company focused on providing consumers with fresh LGBT content. Electric Soul is available in select bookstores, Amazon and most e-book retailers on February 21. Following the book release, Mills will be making appearances in New York, California, Chicago and Missouri.

“Electric Soul is a view at teenage life that isn't necessarily what parents or educators wantto believe is true in America today, but it is,” explains author Saracen, a former middle and high school teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in applied developmental psychology and is interested in the plight of youth whose path to adulthood may appear unorthodox. “I seek to de-stigmatize those who work in the adult film industry by showing how closely their struggles mirror our own,” she says. “They are a community that has been marginalized and maligned. They deserve better representation.”

Her previous novels in the Rise Up series are His Own Way Out, inspired by the early life of Helix model Blake Mitchell, and Twink, a book about Helix model Kyle Ross. While the characters change and the stories vary in each Rise Up novel, common themes—including the struggle for independence, identifying one’s passions, searching for acceptance and love—are interwoven through all three.

Saracen’s hope is that the series illuminates how difficult the teenage years can be for young people, and how the complexities can be compounded by confusion or shame about sexuality.

Saracen says she grew close with Mills while writing Electric Soul. “The beginning of the writing process was sitting down and talking to Joey about his early life and coming out. As I wrote the novel, I sent each chapter to Joey and we texted or Facetimed to make sure everything felt right.”

Mills also gave her access to his mother and sister. “His family plays an important role in his story and it was incredibly helpful to get their input on events.”

Saracen came to admire Joey Mills’ energy and effervescence so much, she titled the novel after a lyric from "Young and Beautiful,” a song by Lana Del Ray: “and all the ways I got to know your pretty face and electric soul.”